Posts Tagged ‘trade show attractions’

A trade show is an investment in your company, and you should take the time to treat it as such. It may seem simple, but it takes time to develop measurable goals for the show. Here are three trade show strategies to help you market your company and maximize your return on investment.

Plan Ahead

Determine Your focus: Will you be launching a new product? Promoting brand awareness? Building a fresh leads list? Each of these goals require a unique approach.

Research the Show and Its Attendees: Is this the proper venue for what you are trying to achieve? Will this be the right show for you to push retail sales or build business relationships? How many of your direct competitors will also have booths? How will you stand out from them?

Be Memorable: Interest creates interest! Capture attention by renting a Cash Cube Money Blowing Machine or Bingo Blower. Renting or purchasing a trade show attraction is just a phone call away! How about some useful custom promotional items? Consider options like custom USB drives, household tools or sports items.

Promote Before and After The Show

Social Media: Once you plan the details your event, get the word out well in advance. People will be excited to visit your booth for the chance to spin the Prize Wheel or play a custom Scratch Card.

Trade Show Publications: Each show will offer several ways for companies to participate in their printed material. Print a voucher for an extra turn on a Plinko Board to attract people to stop by your booth. Do a half or full-page color advertisement listing all of the attractions at your booth to ensure guarantee that your booth has a crowd of people waiting to try their hand at attractions like the Prize Safe!

Leads, Leads, Leads!: Maximize your social media efforts by collecting relevant information as part of the effort. These generated leads can be turned into appointments booked at the show. Don’t stop there – follow up with leads after the show and offer company consolation prizes for being a valued part of your audience.

Be Ready

Staff Accordingly: Whether you are looking for new clients, retail customers or to develop relationships with existing clients, make sure you bring your company’s best! Ensure your staff is aware of your goal for the show so that they can help you achieve it. Assign each booth attendant an area of focus and direct attendees accordingly to keep the booth running smoothly during peak times.

Too Much is Better Than Not Enough: Make sure you have enough staff coverage – if traffic is slow any extra employees can be sent home. It’s better to have too many promotional products to giveaway than not enough.

There are so many ways to make yourself memorable. It’s worth the effort to plan in advance and maximize the benefit for your trade show investment!!

Put A Little Vegas In Your Next Trade Show

Why do people go to trade shows? With plenty of consumer information readily available on the Internet, they can get much of the information they need by simply surfing on their tablet, laptop, or phone. Trade show exhibitors must offer something more to engage people that they cannot get from behind a screen. When deciding to participate in a trade show, exhibitors must ask themselves two vital questions: What are consumers looking for? And how are you going to deliver?

Trade Shows Must Exceed The Normal Customer Experience

No show does customer engagement better than the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held every January in Las Vegas. The 2015 show included nearly 3,700 exhibits and attracted over 170,000 visitors who saw the newest phones, wearable technology, appliances, robots, and even a driverless car. In the vast, high-tech sea of exhibitors, not every booth was able to stay afloat. The most successful exhibitors were those that incorporated an array of techniques aimed at mesmerizing viewers, leaving an impression that far outlived the show itself.

How To Create A Buzz With Interactive Displays And Tradeshow Attractions

While many strategies were used to enthrall visitors, the most favorable incorporated the following:

Interactivity. Users can read about new cell phones, smart watches, interactive tablets with pen and touch displays, and video games on CNET, but CES is set up so visitors can see them up close and even try them. The hope is that the hands-on approach, in which consumers see and test products like the new Ultra HD 4K TVs with Quantum Dots, they are more likely to develop a liking for the product, ultimately leading to a purchase.

Larger-than-life displays. When it comes to capturing consumer attention, bigger is always better! To promote their home automation system, SmartThings constructed a four room smart home. As visitors could walked through, they could scan QR codes to trigger animated videos that explain the technology in use in each room.

Celebrities. Many companies at the show used celebrities to pitch their products. The current year’s show included an array of spokespersons and brand ambassadors, including Nick Cannon, Dr. Phil McGraw, Ryan Seacrest, and the rapper 50 Cent to engage visitors. These celebrities result in a large number of wholesale orders at the show and create a buzz around the product that will hopefully result in consumer sales. Post show advertising spots include the celebrity in an attempt to capitalize on the success of the show.

Visitor amenities. Walking a large tradeshow can be tiring for attendees. Not to mention the abundance of visual and auditory stimulation can get in the way of networking opportunities. Many companies supported visitor lounges. In the CES Social Media Lounge, there were plenty of opportunities to grab a coffee, charge your phone, rest your legs, and have conversations with important people in the industry, a group of colleagues or customers. Some companies, such as Skype, had their own lounge within the larger one where you could relax and connect.

More visitor engagement. In true Vegas spirit, the CES show offered many flashy games to attract crowds of interested attendees. Raffles, prize wheels, cash cubes, video games, and prize vaults with tie-ins to company products decked the aisles. Not every company in the show had a product launch or a major announcement at the show, so using tradeshow attractions allowed any company to engage attendees.

What Happened In Vegas Shouldn’t Stay In Vegas

Few shows attract the crowds of CES, but attendees at any show are eager for information. They also want and expect engaging technology and exciting attractions to make it worth attending the show live. To leave a lasting impression and achieve maximum ROI, be sure to incorporate the right mix of interactive displays, provide services and amenities to visitors, and incorporate attention-grabbers that might include colorful displays, celebrity spokespersons, and show attractions.

About the Author
Jon Edelman provides exciting trade show marketing ideas, including advice about prize wheels, customizable scratch-off cards, money blowing machines, and other exciting trade show attractions. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, lead generation techniques, and networking with trade show vendors. Helping to build a referral-generating system, his ideas continuously lead to a boost in sales and revenue.

In the “old days” before anyone with an internet connection could see your company’s flashiest, newest presentation online, trade shows were often the forum for launching new products, releasing updates, and making company announcements. Visitors included some decision makers, along with many junior personnel who walked the floor to learn and enjoy a couple days of business travel in a different city. Now that the internet can both deliver the presentation and facilitate online meetings, are trade shows irrelevant?

Diminishing trade show attendance numbers may suggest this, but trade shows still have a very important role to play in product sales and marketing. Since attendees are more discriminating about which shows they support, the onus shifts to exhibitors to make the shows “unmissable.” The result? Good trade show marketing must now make the in-person experience more valuable than the online experience.

Product Releases And Promotions That Pops

Just as there is a difference between seeing Star Wars on a 50′ movie screen or 15″ laptop monitor, trade shows offer you the opportunity to showcase your product or service in a big way. You can’t have live fireworks in the exhibit hall, but you can surround your product launch with the equivalent through entertainment, interactive displays, demonstrations, and one-on-one consultations to make it all larger than life. If your trade show marketing strategies incorporate a Twitter and Facebook presence, you can invite visitors to your booth to be the FIRST to see your announcement or product presentation live. Stress the value of experiencing the event in-person!

Plan to have plenty of highly-knowledgeable, friendly staff on hand to answer questions from both the trade press and potential buyers. Though your presentation may incorporate video presentations and other technology, engaging staff can interact with impressive technology for maximum effectiveness.

Competitor Faceoff

Trade shows have a “keeping up with the Jones” element, as your competitors are often present at the show within a few feet of your booth. In some industries, you “must” attend certain shows to be considered a major player. Having a well-designed booth that incorporates current trade show ideas offers you a chance to show how your product and the knowledge, professionalism, and friendliness of your staff compare with competitors. When products are similar, booth presentation and effective personal interaction can make all the difference, giving you the opportunity to outshine your competitors in a show situation. Without ever saying anything negative about them, you can clearly underscore the differences between buying from your company and theirs.

The Personal Touch In Trade Show Marketing

Trade shows offer a unique opportunity to meet with customers, potential customers, and vendors all under one roof. Even if most business takes place online or by phone, putting a name with a face and developing a relationship via a conversation in the booth or over dinner still has immeasurable value. Best of all, many of the people who attend shows these days have buying authority, so even if you don’t make sales at the show, you have the opportunity to develop potential projects and establish a buying timeline with these visitors.

If you use trade shows as a forum for training, you can interact personally with participants, getting instant feedback that can shape further marketing materials, presentations, and product development. You can even turn the on-the-spot feedback about your product and your team into valuable testimonials.

Despite attendee statistics, trade shows are anything but irrelevant in today’s internet age. With trade show marketing and execution that stresses the value of face-to-face contact and seeing presentations live, shows will continue to be a useful tool for exhibitors and attendees alike.

About the Author
Jonathan Edelman provides exciting trade show marketing ideas, including advice about prize wheels, customizable scratch-off cards, money blowing machines, and other exciting trade show attractions. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, lead generation techniques, and networking with trade show vendors. Helping to build a referral-generating system, his ideas continuously lead to a boost in sales and revenue.

Tom Hanks, Justin Timberlake, and Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Steve Young were among the many celebrities participating in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in early January 2006. The show floor was 28 football field’s worth of space with 2,500 trade show exhibitors vying for attention in 1.6 billion square feet of convention exhibits.

More and more trade show exhibitors are finding that a great way to get noticed is to introduce an element of show business into their trade show display appearance. According to technology industry analyst Rob Enderle, “Each year they’ve (CES) had more of a Hollywood presence and this year is the biggest year.” At the CES, Intel hosted a performance by the Black Eyed Peas, Motorola featured the Foo Fighters and Verizon Wireless had hip hopping by Yellowcard and Maroon 5.

Celebrities and celebrity look-a-likes, athletes and former pros, comics, actors, musicians, and scantily clad booth babes all are attention-getters that can draw crowds of business prospects to your trade show booth.

Clients often ask how they can add glitz and pizzazz into their trade show display experience. Here are a few things to consider:

1. The obvious first step is to hire show stoppers—this can run the entire gamut from famous celebrities to clowns on stilts. Even your smiling, energetic and well trained booth staff can do the job of attracting attention.

2.Make your trade show exhibit exciting by incorporating movement, color, lights and action. Practice what motion picture producers do when they yell into their bullhorns, “Lights! Action!” Gobo lights traveling across a tension fabric can provide changing color and mesmerizing interest. New technologies bring high drama to your trade show booth such as 3D video/laser image displays suspended above.

3. Display a sense of humor. Think Billy Crystal and have your trade show booth staff prepare a few funny things to say when they meet and greet attendees. Remember that humor sells and it also helps to break the ice and get your crew off to a friendly start.

4. Bring Internet access into your booth that showcases your professionally designed company website. Incorporate on a large backdrop screen robotics, holographics and waterscreen projections. Be sure to take into consideration your trade show exhibit supplier’s advice and expertise on graphics, portability and trade show cost management.

5. Make your booth exhibit interactive so that you can involve people with a touch, feel, sight and sound experience. Experiential activity is better and longer lasting than passive involvement.

6. Provide exciting, fun giveaways—large or small, everyone likes to win something. By offering a drawing on a glitzy prize –perhaps a two night free stay at the luxury resort –would make it fun for your trade show attendees to allow them to have the “magic continue”.

By thinking creatively you can take your trade show exhibit to another dimension.

A show biz element brings the “buzz” to your trade show exhibit. And, remember, there is no business like show business.

About the Author
Jon Edelman provides exciting trade show marketing ideas, including advice about prize wheels, customizable scratch-off cards, money blowing machines, and other exciting trade show attractions. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, lead generation techniques, and networking with trade show vendors. Helping to build a referral-generating system, his ideas continuously lead to a boost in sales and revenue.

The types of trade show displays you choose for your exhibits play an important role in making an impact on your audience. At some trade shows, your exhibit space will be limited and require a compact, flexible solution.

At other events, you might have an expansive exhibit and need to make a memorable impression; a large, innovative truss system with integrated lighting and plasma panels might be appropriate. With so many convention marketing ideas, you’ll need to focus your brainstorming and finalize a plan.

There are several types of trade show displays and each type is designed to provide specific advantages, given your budget, need for flexibility, and space limitations. Here’s an overview of the 3 most common types of trade show displays:

#1 – Panel Trade Show Displays

Panel displays are foldable and can be designed to fit a range of exhibit space requirements. They’re lightweight and can stand on the floor or placed on a tabletop. Each panel is normally 2 to 3 feet in width and 3 to 4 feet in length. They’re often constructed of high-quality polymer on sturdy frames and can support nearly twenty pounds. Panel display systems are cost-effective, flexible, and can unfold within minutes.

#2 – Pop-Up Trade Show Displays

Pop-ups are popular because they’re relatively inexpensive and simple to set up. Exhibitors can integrate them into large trade show exhibits or use them as turnkey solutions for smaller exhibits. However, they’re not without limitations.

Even though you can have shelves placed on pop-up displays, they cannot support much weight due to the lightweight frame. And while pop-ups are an economical alternative to larger display systems, they’re not adjustable. That said, if you’re on a limited budget, pop-up trade show displays might be an ideal solution. But, be aware regarding whether their limitations will hamper your goals.

#3 – Truss System Displays

Truss systems are high-end trade show displays. They’re ideal if your budget is flexible and you need to make a stunning impression on your audience. They can attract attention and draw visitors to your exhibit. Truss displays use frames which are constructed of aluminum, giving them a durability that other display systems lack. As a result, they can support a significant amount of weight. In fact, you’ll often see truss systems supporting mounted LCD screens and heavy fixtures.

The drawback is the price. It’s not uncommon for truss displays to cost over $40,000. That said, given your trade show objectives and your marketing budget, it may be a fantastic investment for your company. If you plan to use truss systems, consider hiring trade show contractors who can set up the entire exhibit for you on the convention floor.

Using Trade Show Displays That Deliver An Impact

Your trade show exhibits and displays need to communicate your brand, convince attendees to visit, and allow your booth staff to engage them in conversation. What’s more, they need to do so in a limited space at a price that fits your trade show marketing budget. Bigger is not necessarily better. A creative pop-up display with the right marketing message can deliver a lasting impression upon your audience. On the other hand, larger trade show exhibits might require a durable, versatile truss system.

When they’re well-designed and properly deployed, your trade show displays will make a distinctive impact on your audience, regardless of size.

About the author:

Jonathan Edelman provides helpful advice about trade show strategies. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, follow up techniques, and using trade show marketing strategies to boost revenue.

In the past, I’ve given you a number of trade show ideas that you can use to improve the success of your trade show marketing efforts. We’ve talked about promotional giveaways, motivating your booth staff, attracting visitors, and creating eye-catching trade show exhibits. Each contributes to your bottom line. Today, I’ll give you 4 creative trade show ideas that a lot of exhibitors haven’t considered.

#1 – Leverage The Media

Local newspapers, as well as radio and television stations are always searching for compelling stories to tell. If you can weave your marketing efforts around a newsworthy story, your business can attract free media coverage. Contact the trade show organizer for a list of local press outlets. Also, consider hiring a trade show advertising agency to help you develop an attractive press kit.

#2 – Give Booklets To Your Booth Visitors

The value of giving away key chains, tape measures, and similar promotional items to your booth visitors is questionable. Instead, consider giving them small booklets that you can fill with tips regarding how to use your products. There is an insatiable hunger for practical information that can be absorbed quickly and applied easily. By giving away information-dense booklets, you can sate that hunger while pre-selling your products to your target audience. Plus, they’re less likely to be thrown away and will keep your business name in front of your prospects longer.

#3 – Use Attention-Grabbing Trade Show Attractions

Classic video games, colorful prize wheels, and popcorn machines that send mouthwatering aromas into the trade show aisles can attract large audiences to your exhibit. These types of trade show attractions capture attendees’ attention and draw them in, encouraging them to investigate. When they visit, your booth staff can engage them in conversation in order to qualify them as prospective leads.

#4 – Repackage Your Presentation

The majority of people who attend trade shows are looking for new solutions. Uncovering an exciting new product can make the time spent on the convention floor seem worthwhile. If your product is dated, consider repackaging your presentation. You won’t be able to rely upon dazzling your booth visitors. Instead, talk about the features and benefits of using your product. Chances are, a large portion of your target audience will be familiar with your product, yet unaware regarding how it can solve their problems.

Rising Above The Noise

Most exhibitors follow the same menu of marketing tactics in their effort to draw people to their trade show booths. The problem is, they lack creativity. By taking action on tactics that other exhibitors neglect, you can rise above the noise and capture attendees’ attention. The 4 creative trade show ideas I’ve described above are easier to implement than you might imagine. The key ingredient is a willingness to take the first step.

About the author:

Jonathan Edelman provides helpful advice about trade show strategies. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, follow up techniques, and using trade show marketing strategies to boost revenue.

You can boost your chances of success at your next event by following a few trade show marketing strategies that have proven to be effective. On the other hand, you might sabotage your success if you or your employees commit a few common mistakes. Today, I’ll give you three do’s and three don’ts of savvy event marketing.

Don’t: Fail To Follow Up

Surprisingly, many exhibitors don’t take full advantage of the leads they collect at the event. They either follow up after the leads have gone cold or they fail to do so at all. In my experience, the majority of the deals I close happen after the show. Assuming that you’ve qualified your leads properly, following up is the key to more business.

Do: Use Trade Show Giveaways

Trade show giveaways are fantastic for branding your business, spreading the word about your company and even marketing your products. For example, you can have your company logo and contact details imprinted on canvas bags. The bags are valuable for trade show attendees and will promote your business as they carry them. Giveaways offer powerful leverage.

Don’t: Overwhelm Booth Visitors

I constantly notice exhibitors and their employees doing this. Rather than engaging booth visitors in a conversation that helps ferret out needs, they bombard them with a scripted sales pitch. While you should give your employees a script, make sure they can approach and speak naturally with attendees. Otherwise, it’s nearly impossible to qualify leads.

Do: Use Trade Show Attractions

Trade shows are spectacles. Attendees are treated to endless rows of booths. Eventually, every booth begins to look similar to them. You need to find a way to stand out and attract attention with some type of trade show attraction. I’ve used prize wheels with great success in my career. Everyone loves the chance to win something and trade show attendees are no different.

Don’t: Homogenize Yourself

A lot of exhibitors mistakenly take the advice of salespeople who are selling event clothing, promotional items and giveaways. The salesperson encourages them to buy the “popular” items. If they’re popular, it’s likely many other exhibitors are using them. To be memorable, you need to be different.

Remember, effective trade show marketing is found within the details. By following the do’s and don’ts that I’ve described above, you’ll discover that your booth, lead process and business will have an edge over other exhibitors.